Cheap flights from London to Nairobi

April is the cheapest month on this route, so if your dates can move, aim for spring. The price calendar here covers every month of the year, which makes it easy to compare the British school summer break, the December rush and the quieter spring window side by side. Midweek departures usually cost less than weekend ones, and flying out on a Tuesday or Wednesday often beats a Friday or Sunday. For the busy periods, book well ahead; in the shoulder months, fares can drop in the last few weeks before departure.

The airline mix on this route runs from full-service carriers to a single low-cost name. Air Arabia is the budget option in the list; Kenya Airways, Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways, Turkish Airlines, Gulf Air, Egyptair, Saudi Arabian Airlines, Aer Lingus and Uganda Airlines are full-service, where a checked bag and meals normally come with the ticket. Direct departures exist, and the rest of the list connects through a hub such as Doha, Abu Dhabi, Istanbul, Cairo or Jeddah, which stretches the journey but often trims the fare. On the low-cost fare, bags, seat choice and food are add-ons, so compare the total cost rather than the headline figure.

Nairobi is served by Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, which lies outside the city centre, so build in time for the transfer after a long flight. Taxis, ride-hailing apps and hotel shuttles are the usual ways into town; agree the fare or book through the app before you set off, and expect slower roads in the morning and evening rush. Keep your accommodation address and an offline copy of your booking to hand for the driver. If you land late, a pre-booked transfer is the calmer choice, and it is worth confirming which terminal your flight arrives at before you arrange a pickup.

Currency

KES (Ksh)

Power sockets

Type G · 240 V

Language

Swahili, English

Emergency number

112, 999

Calling code

+254

Internet domain

.ke

Population of Nairobi

5.5 M (2016)

Altitude

1,661 m · high altitude — take the first day slowly

Time zone

UTC+03 (Africa/Nairobi)

Country facts: Wikidata

• Check which London airport you fly from, since City, Gatwick, Heathrow, Luton and Stansted are not interchangeable.
• Look at the baggage allowance on low-cost fares, where a checked bag is usually an extra.
• If your connection is on separate tickets, you recheck your bags, so leave a generous gap.
• Confirm Kenya's entry rules for travellers from the United Kingdom, and check your passport validity.
• Compare April with school holiday months if your dates are flexible; the fare gap can be wide.
• Decide whether a non-stop departure is worth more to you than a cheaper connecting itinerary.